Window molding for automobile

ABSTRACT

A window molding for an automobile, adapted to be mounted in a space defined between the outer periphery of a rear window glass and the inner periphery of a rear window opening of a body of the automobile, so as to trim and seal said space. The body of the window molding is formed with a planar cover portion projecting from the portion of the molding body that is to be mounted on a lower portion of the rear window glass so as to elastically abut against a lower panel forming the rear opening, whereby the rear window glass can be trimmed and sealed by the window molding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a window molding for an automobile adapted tobe mounted in an endless manner in the space defined between the outerperiphery of the rear window glass and the inner periphery of the rearwindow opening in the body of the automobile so as to garnish and sealthe space.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A conventional window molding adapted to be mounted on the outerperiphery of the rear window glass of an automobile is comprised of twokinds of molded parts, that is, a first molded part which is mounted onthe upper portion and the opposite side portions of the rear windowglass and a second molded part which is mounted on the lower portion ofthe rear window glass. This construction is used so that the trunk panelis capable of being upwardly opened in the vicinity of the lower portionof the rear window glass.

The first molded part has a structure such that it can be fitted on theouter periphery of the rear window glass, and the outer edge of thegarnish or trim portion of the first molding part is adapted toelastically abut against and sealingly contact the roof panel of theautomobile. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the second molded part M',which is mounted on the lower portion of the rear window glass G, isbonded over a wide area to both the rear window glass G and the lowerpanel 1 of the automobile, so that the lower portion of the rear windowglass G and the peripheral area therebelow are concealed by the secondmolding part M'.

The construction of the conventional automobile rear window molding hasthe following shortcomings.

(1) The molding consists of two parts having different cross-sectionalshapes, and the two parts are connected together at two joint portions.The joint portions usually are provided on opposite sides of the lowerportion of the rear window glass. Accordingly, these joint portionsdetract from the appearance of the automobile;

(2) Because the cross-sectional shapes of the two molded parts arewidely different from each other, large steps and gaps are present ateach joint portion. Accordingly, such large steps and gaps result inaccumulation of dirt and/or generation of noise due to rapid changes inair flow therepast during running of the automobile;

(3) Because it is necessary to form two kinds of molded parts havingwidely different cross-sectional shapes, different molding dies andassociated equipment are required for molding the two kinds of moldedparts, resulting in an increase in the manufacturing cost; and

(4) Because the two kinds of molded parts are connected together at thetwo joint portions, and the cross-sectional shapes of the molding partsare widely different, the number of mounting steps required for mountingthe molded parts to the roof panel and the lower panel of the automobileis increased.

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to overcome theabove problems in the conventional rear window moldings andsimultaneously ensure a smooth opening and closing operation of thetrunk of the automobile by employing a single molding for trimming theentirety of the outer periphery of the rear window glass.

According to the present invention, for achieving the above object,there is provided a window molding for an automobile adapted to bemounted, in an endless fashion, in the space defined between the outerperiphery of the rear window glass and the inner periphery of the rearwindow opening in the body of said automobile so as to trim and sealsaid space, in which the body of the window molding, which molding is tobe mounted on the entirety of the outer periphery of said rear windowglass, is formed with a planar cover portion projecting from only theportion of said molded body that is to be mounted on the lower portionof the rear window glass so as to elastically abut against the lowerpanel forming the rear opening.

The planar cover portion is formed to project from the molded body ofthe window molding only at the lower portion of the molded body in whichthe lower portion of the rear window glass is mounted. Accordingly, theentirety of the outer periphery of the rear window glass can be trimmedand bordered by the molding which is formed as a single part having asingle joint portion. Further, because the cover portion of the moldedbody projects to the lower panel of the automobile body and elasticallyabuts against the lower panel, the lower portion of the rear windowglass and the peripheral area thereof can be concealed by the coverportion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

There will now be described a plurality of preferred embodiments of thepresent invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automobile C as viewed from the rearend thereof;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line X--X inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the molding M₁ of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 2 and showing a second embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 2 and showing a third embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a prior art window molding;

FIG. 7 is a view like FIG. 2 and showing a fourth embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 8 is a view like FIG. 3 and showing the fourth embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 9 is a view like FIG. 2 and showing a fifth embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 10 is a view like FIG. 3 and showing the fifth embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a rear window glass G is provided in a rear windowopening defined by a roof panel 2 and a lower panel 1 (FIG. 2) of theautomobile C. An endless molding M₁ is mounted in the space definedbetween the outer periphery of the rear window glass G and the innerperiphery of the above-mentioned rear window opening. The body 10 of themolding M₁ is of one-piece integral construction and it is comprised ofa garnish or trim portion 11, a column portion 12 projecting downwardlyfrom the lower surface of the trim portion 11, and a fitting portion 14projecting inwardly from the lower end of the column portion 12, thusforming a substantially U-shaped configuration in cross-section. Afitting groove or channel 17 is provided on an inner periphery of themolded body 10 by the above-mentioned U-shaped configuration. Thechannel 17 is continuous along the entire length of molding M₁ so thatthe molding will form a continuous border on the perimeter of rearwindow glass G. As best shown in FIG. 3, at only the lower portion ofthe molded body 10, that is, the portion that is to be fitted on thelower edge portion of the rear window glass G, the molded body 10 isintegrally formed with a substantially planar cover portion 13 whichprojects away from the window glass G and toward the lower panel 1 andelastically abuts against the same (FIG. 2). The outer periphery of therear window glass G is fitted in the fitting groove 17 of the moldedbody 10, so that the molding M₁ is mounted on and borders the entiretyof the outer periphery of the rear window glass G. A thin metalreinforcing sheet 15 is embedded in the column portion 12.

Because the cover portion 13 projects from the lower portion of themolded body 10 that is mounted on the lower edge portion of the rearwindow glass G, the cross-sectional shape of the molding M₁ does notchange greatly, as a whole.

A space 3 is defined between the roof panel 2 and the portion of theouter periphery of the rear window glass G, which space extends alongthe upper portion and the opposite side portions of the rear windowglass. The molding M₁ is mounted in the space 3 so as to seal and trimthe upper edge portion and side edge portions of the periphery of thespace 3 in such a manner that the periphery of the trim portion 11elastically abuts against the roof panel 2.

On the other hand, a space 5 is defined between the lower portion of therear window glass G and a trunk panel 4. However, as the trunk panel 4is adapted to be upwardly opened, the space 5 cannot be concealed orcovered by the trim portion 11 of the molding M₁. To cope with this,according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, theplanar cover portion 13 is formed to project from the vicinity of thelower end of the column portion 12 of the molding body 10 to the lowerpanel 1 and to elastically abut against the lower panel 1. With thisconstruction, the lower portion of the rear window glass G and theperipheral area thereof can be concealed by the cover portion 13, withthe space 5 simultaneously permitting the movement of the trunk panel 4defined.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, reference numeral 6 designates an adhesive for fixingthe rear window glass G to the lower panel 1 and the roof panel 2, andreference numeral 7 designates a rubber dam for preventing the adhesive6 from flowing away.

A second preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.4. Referring to FIG. 4, an auxiliary panel la having an upstanding wallis provided on the lower panel 1. An elastic lip 26 projects outwardlyfrom the lower end of the column portion 22 of the molding M₂. The lip26 elastically abuts against the upstanding wall of the auxiliary panel1a with a large elastic deformation. With this construction, until theadhesive 6 is hardened, the molding M₂ is prevented from disengagingfrom the rear window glass G by the reaction force of the elastic lip26. Further, the cover portion 23 projects outwardly from the vicinityof the upper end of the column portion 22 so as to conceal the auxiliarypanel 1a and elastically abut against the lower panel 1. In FIG. 4,reference numerals 20, 21 and 24 designate the molding body, the trimportion and the fitting portion of the molding M₂, respectively.

A third preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.5. Referring to FIG. 5, an elastic lip 36 projects outwardly from thelower end of the column portion 32 of the molding M₃, and a coverportion 33 is integrally formed so as to extend from the elastic lip 36to the lower panel 1. Further, another elastic lip 34 is formed toproject inwardly from the lower end of the column portion 32, so thatthe outer periphery of the rear window glass G is held by and betweenthe elastic lip 34 and the trim portion 31 of the molding M₃. In FIG. 5,reference numeral 30 designates the molded body of the molding M₃.

A fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.7 and 8. The molded body 40 is further formed with a seal portion 43which projects outwardly from the upper trim portion 41. The sealportion 43 is adapted to sealingly engage the panel 2 along the upperedge portion and the two opposite side edge portions of the rear windowglass G. However, the seal portion 43 is not present on the lower edgeportion of the molded body 40. The planar cover portion 44 projects fromthe vicinity of the lower end of the column portion 42 of the moldedbody 40 to the lower panel 1 and elastically abuts against the lowerpanel 1. The seal portion 43 is omitted at only the lower portion of themolded body, that is, the portion that has the planar cover portion 44.

Reference numbers 45, 46 and 47 identify the fitting portion, the thinmetal reinforcing sheet and the fitting groove, respectively.

With this construction, the lower portion of the rear window glass G andthe peripheral area thereof can be concealed by the cover portion 44with the space 5 permitting the movement of the trunk panel 4. At thesame time, the space 5 defined between the trim portion 41 and the trunkpanel is widened to thereby ensure smooth opening and closing operationof the trunk panel 4.

A fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.9 and 10. The molded body 50 is further provided with a lower, outwardlyprojecting flange 53 which projects outwardly from the lower portion ofthe column 52. The flange bent into a substantially L-shapedconfiguration and 53 sealingly engages the upright wall portion of thepanel 2, along the upper edge portion and the two opposite side edgeportions of the rear window glass G. However the flange 53 is notpresent on the lower edge portion of the molded body 50. The planarcover portion 54 projects from the vicinity of the upper end of thecolumn portion 52 of the molded body 50 to the lower panel 1 andelastically abuts against the lower panel 1. The flange 53 is omittedonly at the lower portion of the molded body, that is, the portion thathas the planar cover portion 54.

With this construction, the L-shaped flange 53 and the opposing portionof the column 52 define an upwardly opening channel 56 in which rain canbe collected. The flange 53 need not necessarily be provided at thelower end of column 52, but rather, it can be provided at any suitablevertical position along the column 52 so long as the channel 56 isformed. Thus, rain that falls on panel 2 can flow into channel 56,travel therealong to the lower portion of the window opening and thencan flow onto the panel 1. Also, the space 5 between the trunk panel 5and the planar flange portion 54 can be reduced.

According to the present invention, the planar cover portion 14, 24,etc. is formed to project from the molded body so as to elastically abutagainst the lower panel only at the lower portion of the molded body.Accordingly, the molded body has no large change in cross-sectionalshape considered as a whole. Further, the entirety of the outerperiphery of the rear window glass can be trimmed by a single moldinghaving a single joint portion, and no large steps and gaps are createdat the joint portion. Therefore, the appearance of the molding mountedon the rear window glass can be improved.

As the entirety of the outer periphery of the rear window glass can betrimmed by a single molding, the number of molding dies and associatedequipment can be reduced to thereby reduce the manufacturing cost forthe molding. Moreover, because only a single joint portion of themolding is needed, the number of steps involved in mounting the moldingto the roof panel and the lower panel of the automobile is reduced.

Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have beendisclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognizedthat variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, includingthe rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the presentinvention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. In a window molding foran automobile, comprising a molded body adapted to be mounted in asubstantially endless manner in a apace of the automobile and an innerperiphery of a rear window opening of an automobile body, said moldedbody having wall means sealingly engageable with said inner peripheryand said outer periphery so as to seal and trim said space, theimprovement which comprises: said molded body includes a substantiallyplanar, elastic, flange portion projecting from only a section of saidmolded body that is to extend along a lower edge of said rear windowglass, said flange portion being adapted to elastically abut against apanel forming a lower edge of said rear window opening, an upper trimportion including an upper, inwardly extending flange adapted to overlieand seal against an outer surface of an outer peripheral edge portion ofthe rear window glass, a column portion projecting downwardly from saidupper trim portion and a lower, inwardly extending flange adapted tounderlie and seal against an inner surface of said outer peripheral edgeportion of the rear window glass, said upper flange, said column portionand said lower flange defining a substantially continuous channel forencircling the rear window glass and providing a substantiallycontinuous border thereon, said flange portion projecting outwardly froma lower edge of said column portion only in said section of said moldedbody, the remainder of said molded body being free of said flangeportion, said flange portion extending a substantial distance beyond anouter edge of said upper trim portion in said section of said moldedbody.
 2. A window molding as claimed in claim 1 in which said moldedbody has a constant cross-section throughout its length except in saidsection of said molded body.
 3. A window molding as claimed in claim 1in which said upper trim portion also has an upper, outwardly extendingflange adapted to seal against a wall portion on the inner periphery ofthe rear window opening on the automobile body.
 4. A window molding asclaimed in claim 3 in which said molding also has a lower, outwardlyextending flange adapted to sealingly engage an upright wall on theinner periphery of the rear window opening of the automobile.
 5. Awindow molding as claimed in claim 1 in which said molding also has alower, outwardly extending flange adapted to sealingly engage an uprightwall on the inner periphery of the rear window opening of theautomobile, said lower, outwardly extending flange and said columnportion defining an upwardly opening channel along an upper edge and twoopposite side edges of said rear window opening, said section of saidmolded body being free of said lower, outwardly extending flange.
 6. Awindow molding as claimed in claim 3 in which said section of said bodyis free of said molded upper, outwardly extending flange.
 7. In anautomobile having a rear window mounted in a rear window opening of theautomobile body, a window molding mounted in a space between an outerperiphery of the rear window of the automobile and an inner periphery ofthe rear window opening of the automobile body, said molding having wallmeans sealingly engaged with said inner periphery and said outerperiphery along upper, lower and side edges of said rear window so as toseal and trim said space, said molding having a substantially planar,elastic, flange portion projecting from only a section of said moldingthat extends along the lower edge of said rear window, said flangeportion elastically abutting against a panel forming the lower edge ofsaid rear window opening.
 8. An automobile as claimed in claim 7 inwhich said molding has an upper trim portion including an upper,inwardly extending flange overlying and sealed against an outer surfaceof an outer peripheral edge portion of the rear window, a column portionprojecting downwardly from said upper trim portion and a lower, inwardlyextending flange underlying and sealed against an inner surface of saidouter peripheral edge portion of the rear window, said upper flange,said column portion and said lower flange defining a continuous channelencircling the rear window glass and providing a substantiallycontinuous border thereon, said flange portion projecting outwardly fromsaid column portion only in said section of said molding, the remainderof said molding being free of said flange portion, said flange portionextending a substantial distance beyond an outer edge of said upper trimportion in said section of said molding.
 9. An automobile as claimed inclaim 8 in which said molding has a constant cross-section throughoutits length except in said section of said molding.
 10. An automobile asclaimed in claim 8 in which said upper trim portion also has an upper,outwardly extending flange sealingly contacting an inner peripheral edgeportion of the automobile body.
 11. An automobile as claimed in claim 8in which said flange portion projects outwardly from a lower edge ofsaid column portion in said section of said molding.
 12. An automobileas claimed in claim 10 in which said molding also has a lower, outwardlyextending flange sealingly engaging an upright wall on the innerperiphery of the rear window opening of the automobile.
 13. Anautomobile as claimed in claim 8 in which said molding also has a lower,outwardly extending flange sealingly engaging an upright wall on theinner periphery of the rear window opening of the automobile, saidlower, outwardly extending flange and said column portion defining anupwardly opening channel along an upper edge and two opposite side edgesof said rear window opening, said section of said molded being free ofsaid lower, outwardly extending flange.
 14. An automobile as claimed inclaim 10 in which said section of said molding is free of said upper,outwardly extending flange.
 15. In a window molding for an automobile,comprising elongate molded body means adapted to be mounted in asubstantially endless space defined between an outer periphery of a rearwindow glass of the automobile and an inner periphery of a rear windowopening defined in a body of the automobile, said elongate molded bodymeans having elongate upper, side and lower sections which respectivelyextend along the upper, side and lower edges of the rear window glass,said molded body means being sealingly engageable with said innerperiphery and said outer periphery so as to seal and trim said space,the improvement which comprises: said molded body means including asubstantially planar, elastic flange portion provided solely on andprojecting from said elongate lower section along the lower edge of saidrear window glass, said flange portion elastically abutting against apanel forming the lower edge of said rear window opening, and saidmolded body means including an upper, outwardly extending elastic flangeprovided solely on and extending along said elongate top and sidesection, said upper flange being adapted to elastically seal against theinner periphery o the rear window opening as defined by a wall portionon the automobile body.
 16. A window molding as claimed in claim 15, inwhich said elongate body means has an upper trim portion including anupper, inwardly extending flange adapted to overlie and seal against anouter surface of an outer peripheral edge portion of the rear windowglass, a column portion projecting downwardly from said upper trimportion, and a lower inwardly extending flange adapted to underlie andseal against an inner surface of said outer peripheral edge portion ofthe rear window glass, said upper trim flange, said column portion andsaid lower flange extending substantially continuously along saidelongate body means and defining a substantially continuous channel forencircling the rear window glass and providing a substantiallycontinuous border thereon, and said flange portion as associated withsaid elongate lower section extending outwardly a substantial distancebeyond an outer edge of said upper trim portion.